Daily Updates

Red-billed TropicbirdPhaethon aethereus - onw was at the North Beach on the 31.7 (Adi Peduel). The Arctic Tern seen on the day before at the same place was there on the following day.

OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus - Six were flying south at Ahskelon Beach (Rea Shish) and two more were at Maagan Michael (Itamar Gurfinkel)

Black-winged KiteElanus caeruleus - a new breeding pair and fledgling were found for the first time at Harod Valley.

The White-throated Robin is still showing well at Sde Boker while the Pink-back Pelican is still at Harod Valley.

2-4.8.2015

White-throated RobinIrania gutturalis - 1 juv was caught and ringed at the JBO (ROn Efrat at al). Another bird was reported from Manara, Upper Galilee while The 'Sde Boker' bird is still around and happy.

Arctic Tern Stern paradisaea - 1 bird is still at the North Beach, Eilat (Itai Shani)

White-corwned Black WheatearOenanthe lecopyga - 1 juv was out of the species breeding range, this time at Azuz, Nizzana on the 2nd (Meidad Goren).

5-6.8.2015

White-cheeked TernSterna repressa - New breeding bird for Israel!The Israel National Monitoring Program at the Gulf of Eilat, have found in recent days a pair of White-cheeked Terns with 2 eggs. Let's hope for healthy hetched cheeks in the coming future. A summer to be remembered. PHOTO

Lesser Crested TernSterna benegalensis - one was at the North Beach on Saturday 15th (Meidad Goren at al).

KittiwakeRissa triactyla - a 1st summer bird flew over Eilat's North Beach on Friday 14th (Shachar Shalev at al), though some described features and the timing may beeter fit the very rare vagrent Sabine's Gull, as all 3 previous Israeli records were summer/late spring records. Would be good to find that bird again.

Desert WheatearOenanthe deserti - one was at Mt. Hermon on Friday 14th (Amir Ben-dov). A peculiar out of place and date record.

Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor - 30 individuals among them 7 fresh juveniles were noted at Yessasschar heights, eastern Galilee on Saturday 15th (David Koter). The largest known breeding population in northern Israel

Both the Bateleur and the Pink-backed Pelican are still at their places.

16.8.2015

Lesser Crested TernSterna benegalensis - 10 birds were gathered at the North Beach this afternoon (Shachar Shalev). Quite a good number.

17-19.8.2015

Bazra Reed WarblerAccrocephalus girseldis - one was ringed at the Hula Agamon on the 19th (Yaron Charka)

Arctic Tern Stern paradisaea - a 1st summer bird was at the North Beach, Eilat on the 18th (Barak Granit, Shachar Shalev and Noam Weiss)

Saunders's Tern/Little TernSterna saundersi/albifrons - a juv bird, presumably S.Saundersi was at the North Beach, Eilat on the 18th (Barak Granit, Shachar Shalev and Noam Weiss). Id is still open and in process.Photo

Lesser Crested TernSterna benegalensis - at least 9 birds were at the North Beach, Eilat on both the 17th and the 18th (Barak Granit, Shachar Shalev and Noam Weiss)

White-cheeked TernSterna repressa - One adult was ringed at Atlit in a breeding colony of both Common and Little Terns, on the 19th (Yosef Kiat et al.). 30-35 birds were at the North Beach, Eilat on both the 17th and the 18th (Barak Granit, Shachar Shalev and Noam Weiss)Photo

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A Gannet/Booby sp. - an adult of unidetified species was seen diving for fish, far off North Beach, Eilat on the 17th morning (Shachar Shalev). A potentially very interesting record as Northern Gannet has never been recorded at Eilat or at the Red Sea where Masked Booby appearance is more pausiable.

Purple SwamphenPorphyrio porphyrio - a new bird was found at Tal Shachar, Judean Plain (Ezra Hadad)

Purple SwamphenPorphyrio porphyrio - one was at Ketziot sewage, Nizzana on the 23rd (Nethanel Yarkoni)

Mangrove HeronButorides striata - 2 adults and one fresh juvelnile were at Hayarkon Park, Tel-aviv (Itamar Gurfinkel), were they probably breeding in the last 3 years.

25-27.8.2015

The long attention attractor, Mr. PInk-backed Pelican has moved to Kfar Baruch reservoir where it was seen with relatively large group of White Pelicans with whom it might leave us to the warm south.

Good numbers of both White Storks (tens of thousands) and now also Honey Buzzardsbeen noted from verious sites on their traditional route. At Tel-aviv northern coastal scrub of Tel-Baruch, good numbers of passerines, mainly Shrikes been noted during the alst days, with many tens (65 at most) Red-BackedShrikes and up to 13 Lesser-Grey Shrikes while an Olive-tree Warbler was a nice local 'rarity' for that spot.

The first Black-winged Pratincole for the autumn was photographed today (the 27th) - very early record. Last, a juv Mangrove Heron was seen last weekend at Heimar Reservoir (Eyal Shochat et al).

On the 9th, an exceptionally early Fieldfare, which is perhaps the ealiest vaunguard ever been recorded in Israel, was at the JBO (Avner Rinot).

On the 10th, at Maagan Michael were 1-2 Terek Sandpipers, the same two Red Knots that hang around there for a week or so and 5 Broad-billed Sandpipers (David Koter).

At Tel-Baruch some 45 Red-backed Shrikes were noted among many other migrants (Igal Siman-tov). At Tirat Zvi, Beit SHen Valley, 3 Black Terns were among 60White-winged Terns and 5 Whiskereds and a single Sanderling (rare over there) and about 140Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters and two Citrine Wagtails (Barak Granit, Avi Shneor and Ron Singer).

Last, a European (Common) Rosefinch was at Tzora (Yosef Kiat).

11.9.2015

Icterine WarblerHippolaos Icterina - one was seen and photographed at Yarkon Park, Tel-Aviv (Itamar Gurfinkel)

River WarblerLocustella fluviatilis - one was near Kfar Rupin, Beit-Shen Valley (Avner Rinot). Two Black Terns are still at Tirat Zvi together with two early Little Gulls.

Eleonora's FalconFalco Eleonorae - One was photographed over Kisra (Rei Segali) and another one was seen at dusk at Beit Hilel by the same observer.

Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinus - one was at Kiryat Anavim, Jerusalem (Micha Mendel)

12.9.2015

White-cheeked TernSterna repressa - 87 birds gathered at the North Beach, Eilat this afternoon (Shacar Shalev). Undoubtedly a new national record. At the same place there was one Lesser Crested Tern and 2 (perhaps 5) Bridled Terns.

Eleonora's FalconFalco Eleonorae - one was at Nitzanim beach (Rea Shaish). A Black Tern was there too.

Black-Winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni - one was at Ykutza reserboir (Lior Kislev). Sightings of this species becoming rarer in recent decade.

13-16.9.2015

Cinereous BuntingEmberiza cineracea - two 1st winter birds, among them one of the sspsemenowi, were at Eilat field-school on the 15th (Noam Givon et al.).

Black-Winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni - Three at Tirat Zvi on the 13th, one near Tel-Saharon, Kfar Rupin on the same day and two there on the 15th (Avner Rinot, Yochai Koren, Itamar Gurfinkel)

River WarblerLocustella fluviatilis -two were ringed at the Agamon, Hula Valley (Shai Agmon).

Eleonora's FalconFalco Eleonorae - one at MIchmanim on the 13th (Ohad Sherer).

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica - two at Maagan MIchael on the 14th (Yzvi Hertz), remained there for the next day.

Ruppell's WarblerSylvia rueppelli - quite a few were seen or ringed in various places, i.e. one at Tel-Baruch on the 14th and two there on the 16th (Avi Shneor, Igal Siman Tov) and 2 at the JBO on the 16th As well.

17.9.2015

Yellow-billed StorkMycteria ibis - a 1st summer bird was at Tirat Zvi fishponds this afternoon (Giora Leitner) and remain to roost near by. Was it there all summer, unnoticed?

White-tailed LapwingVanellus leucurus - one was at Ketura Sewage ponds together with one Citrine Wagtail (Itai Shani).

Common Rock ThrushMonticola saxatilis - a female/1st winter bird was in a city park at Ramat-an (Avner rinot at al). Rare to scarce autumn migrant.

Oriental Honey BuzzardPernis ptilorhyncus - one was migrating over mt Gilboa (Tuvia Khan), 1000 Levant Sparrowhaks were noted there as well during the afternoon.

Yellow-billed StorkMycteria ibis - the bird found yesterday was relocated today at the same place (Avner Rinot et al.)

Pin-tailed SnipeGallinago Stenura? - a bird that suspected to be of that species was flushed and seen in flight only at Kfar Rupin fishponds, never to be found again (Avner Rinot). Identification remained open.

19-20.9.2015

Rosy StarlingPastor roseus - one was at Nafcha farm, at sunset on the 20th (Meidad Goren)

Icterine WarblerHippolais icterina - onw was at Canada Park, Eilat on the 20th (Shachar Shalev) while another one was ringed at the IBRCE before the weekend alongside an Upcher's Warbler (Noam Weiss et al.)

Daurian ShrikeLanius Isabellinus - one was at Tirat Zvi on the 19th (Omer Tamari).

Cream-coloured CourserCursorius cursor - three were at Kfar Menachem, northern Judean Plains on the 20th (Ezra Hadad). Unusual place for them.

21.9.2015

Daurian ShrikeLanius Isabellinus - one was at the Agamon, Hula Valley (Shai Agmon).

Golden EagleAquila Chrysaetos - an adult and an immature bird headed eastwards into Jordan above the North Beach this aftenoon. (Shachar Shalev). An interesting record. At the same place one Lesser Crested Tern and 58 White-cheeked Terns been noted.

Ruppell's WarblerSylvia rueppelli - sime more birds been reported through the last week from various places, i.e Eilat and Jerusalem.

22-24.9.2015

Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinus - a 1st winter bird was seen and photographed at Nafcha farm, High Negev Mountain, on the 23rd (Shachar Alterman & Barak Granit) Photo

Rosy StarlingPastor roseus - the 1st winter bird was still at Nacha farm on the 23rd (Shachar Alterman & Barak Granit) while another one was at Kfar Rupin today (Oree Efroni Naor)

White-tailed LapwingVanellus leucurus - one was at k.19 Swage pools, Eilat on the 22nd (Chen ROzen et al.) while another one found this evening at Timorim (Avi Livne)

Chestnut-shouldered PetroniaPetronia xanthocollis - a first winter/feamle type bird was photographed yesterday (25/9) at Kfar Rupin fishponds (Yedidya Popper). The bird idnetified only after uploaded to facebook for id help request. A great record and should be the 3rd/4rth records for Israel if accepted. Photo

Black-Winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni - five were at Tirat Zvi on the 25th (David Koter)

Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinus - one was ringed at Yerucham lake on the 27th (Rony Livne), one more on the same day was at Tirat Zvi (Avner Rinot) and another bird was today at Kfar Rupin (Nadav Israeli). Seems like really good autumn for this otherwise scarce migranit.

Black-Winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni - 27 were at a fish pond on Tirat Zvi on the 27th and a flock of 80 were migrating over Kfar Kasem when spotted during raptor count. Another migrating flock of 68 uid praticnoles were seen east to Kfar Kasem on the 28th (The survey team).

Paddyfield WarblerAcrocephalus agricola - one was trapped, ringed and released at IBRCE ringing station, Eilat (Chen Rozen at al). Photo

PInk-backed PelicanPelecanus rufescens - amazingly, the bird (probably the same) that over summered ad Harod valley was relocated and photographed two days ago at Barak reservoir at southern Jezreel Valley (Yuval Peleg), some 38 days aftter seen last time.

'unwini' European NightjarCaprimulgus europaeus unwini - one was found at EIlat, brought into short care at the IBRCE and released (Noam Weiss et al.). Rare migrant through southern Israel.

6.10.2015

Pin-tailed SnipeGallinago stenura - one was photographed yesterday at Nir-Oz, the Western Negev (Dominic Standing) but identified only after photo been sent for id help (Barak Granit). The 9th record for Israel. Photo

Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus - one was at Tel-Baruch (Igal Siman-tov)

7-8.10.2015

Cyprus WheatearOenanthe cypriaca - a male was at Tel-Baruch beach on the 8th (Barak Granit) and another bird was at Nebi Samuel, Jerusalem (Nissim Primo).

Steppe Grey ShrikeLanius meridionalis pallidirostris - one was photographed at Yotvata on the 8th, remained for the 9th as well (Shimon Shiff). Photo

Daurian ShrikeLanius isabellinus - one was at Yotvata on the 7th, reamined there today (Itai Shani) Photo

HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustes - first birds for the season were on the 7th and indluded 1 at the JBO and 17 at Misgav (Avner Rinot, Ohad Sherer),

Lesser Spotted EalgeAquila pomarina - more than 20;000 birds were noted onthe 8th at Kfar Kassem Rpator Survey, including a heav passage of 15000 birds within one hour. Photo

10.10.2015

Cyprus WheatearOenanthe cypriaca - one was at David Reservoir, north-western Negev (David Kotter)

Pin-tailed Snipe Gallinago Stenura - the 10th for Israel and the 2nd for this autumn (and the 6th for Kfar Rupin...) was caught and ringed at Kfar Rupin fishponds, Beit Shen valley by a ringing British team. Bloddy hell...

Daurian ShrikeLanius isabellinus - two were at Maoz Haim, Beit Shen valley where one was yesterday (Rei Segali)

Red-breasted FlycatcherFicedula parva - about 10 were reported today from various parts of the Negev, including 5 around Yerucham Lake, where about 5 were ringed during the last few days.

Greater FlamingoPhoenicopterus roseus - a flock of 200 birds were migrating south high over Jerico (Avner Rinot). An amazing inland record.

12-13.10.2015

PIn-tailed SnipeGallinago Stenura - a 3rd bird within A week! - Owen Foley, an Irish birder reorted that a PTS was at Habsor reservoir, the North-Western Negev on the 12th.

Could it be the first bird that was found at Nir Oz earlier, or is it a a new bird and Israel is just full of them? why not actually.... the 11th record for Israel if accepted. The bird from Kfar Rupin was still there on the 13th late morning.

Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinus - one was at the IBRCE on the 12th and one was ringed at the same place the following day (Chen Rozen et al.)

14-16.10.2015

Brown BoobySula leucogaster - one was at the North Beach on the 16th (Shachar Slakev)

Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus - one was at Hatzook beach, Tel-aviv on the 15th (Shuki Heled)

Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinus - one was caught and ringed at Ariel Sharon Park near Tel-aviv (Arad Ben-david et al.) and one was at Nafcha (Jonathan Meyrav and Barak Granit), Both on the 15th.

Red-breast FlycatcherFicedulla parva - about 3 birds were reported in various places.

The 'Kfar Rupin's' Pin-tailed SnipeGallinago Stenura was there today as well. Photo

18-19.10.2015

Yellow-browed WarblerPhylloscopus inornatus - one was caught and ringed at Yerucham lake (Rony Livne et al.). Only the 2nd bird this autumn, but at least one that will not take a terminal swim in the Atlantic...crazy stuff.

Bimaculated LarkMelanocorypha bimaculata - one was at Tel-baruch, Tel-aviv (the faithful Igal Siman-tov).

The Brown Booby showed again this afternoon at the North Beach (Chen Rozen), while at the other end - at the Hula valley a 'fulvescens'Greater Spotted Eagle was reported (Shai Agmon)

21-22.10.2015

Cyprus WheatearOenanthe Cypriaca - one was at Km 20 Eilat on the 21st (Shachar Shalev).

Oriental SkylarkAlauda gulgula - 5 or 6 birds were in one alfalfa field near Kfar Rupin (Barak Granit & Avi Shneor). At the same field also some 4-5 Richard's, 50-60 Tawny, and about 1000 Red-throated PIpits and one Black-winged Pratincole.

Daurian ShrikeLanius isabellinus - one was at Timorim on the 20th (Shlomi Shamai)

Pied WheatearOenanthe Pelschanka - a 1st winter male was photographed at km 20, EIlat on the 24th. The bird that was called "Cyprus Pied" from the same place, two days ago could well refer to today's bird that had been misidentified. Photo

Cyprus WheatearOenanthe Cypriaca - one was at Shekef on the 24th (Ezra Hadad)

RedwingTurdus iliacus - an early bird was at Michmanim on the 27th (Ohad Sherer) along side firstBramblings and tens of Song Thrush

28.10.2015

Cyprus WheatearOenanthe Cypriaca - an unprecedented event occured when probably hundreds of birds washed the Med Sea shores of Israel as a result of low preasure system above the sea.

Tens were noted in some visited sites: 33-40 were at Tel-Baruch (Igal Siman-tov, Barak Granit, Avi Shneor, Ezra Hadad et al.), 13 were at Palmachim (Jonathan Meyrav), about 20 birds were at Ashdod (Avner Rinot) and several were at other different spots along the coast. More than 80 birds were noted altogether. Photo

Bimaculated LarkMelanocorypha bimaculata - 13 were at Tel-Baruch in the morning while additional 4 were there during te after-noon (Barak Granit, Igal Siman-Tov) and Arad Ben David), 9 were at Ashdod and 3 at Palmachim (Avner Rinot, Jonathan Meyrav)

29-30.10.2015

Cyprus WheatearOenanthe Cypriaca - Many birds have left the coasts on the following day though still some 3-4 birds were seen at various places. Out of the coast one was near Aderet, One was at Zin field near Sede Boker and one was at Hameishar.

On the 30th, 10 more birds were north to Tel-Baruch, not included in the big count fo the 28th. Apparently, on the 28th at Tel-Baruch, numbers in the afternoon were higher than the morning's numbers with estimation of 50 birds altogether (Arad Ben-david).

This estimation makes sense since heavy showers continued for hours from late morning into early afternoon so more birds were forced to land. Incredible event.

Note: the event was described in various places on the net as resulted from "stormy wheather" so the wheatears were pushed to the shore by the winds. However, apart from short mini-hurricane that occurred on Sunday morning, 3 days before the 28th, the weather in and off land was quite calm, although heavily rainy. In other words: the heavy rains and not winds forced the birds to land.

Yellow-Browed WarblerPhylloscopus inornatus - an exhausted bird was found at Moshav Bnei-zion, not far from Tel-Aviv on the 28th.

Small Skylark Alauda gulgula - Six to Seven birds were at Yotavata. Two Richard's Pipit and a Lanner were there as well (Chen Rozen)

3-5.11.2015

Great SnipeGallinago media - one was at Nizzana on the 5th (Meidad Goren). Very rare in autumn.

Yellow-browed WarblerPhylloscopus inornatus - one was at Mashabei Sade and one was caught, ringed and released at En-Rimon, both on the 5th (Meidad Goren, Eyal Shochat).

WoodlarkLullula arborea - more than 70 birds were noted on an early morning active migration at Nizzanim Beach on the 5th (Avner Rinot) - an impressive number.

Desert Warbler Sylvia nana - the first for the season was at Wadi Ashosh, Arava valley on the 4th (Barak Granit)

Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus - one was at En Nimfit on the 3rd (Yochai Koren) and one was near Modiin on the 5th (Nethanel Yarkoni)

Daurian ShrikeLanius isabellinus - one was at Kfar Rupin Fishponds on the 3rd (Tuvia Kahn)

Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinus - one was caught and ringed at the IBRCE on the 3rd (Chen Rozen)

Black TernChilodonias niger - a late bird was at Ashet Reservoir, central Arava on the 4th alongside two White-winged Terns (Barak Granit)

6.11.2015

Yellow-browed WarblerPhylloscopus inornatus - apparently the 5th included a 3rd bird: one was caught and ringed at Yerucham lake (Roni LIvne) while new bird was today at the Eilat bird park (Chen Rozen)

Brown BoobySula leucogaster - two birds were today at the North Beach, Eilat (Amir Chaver)

MIstle ThrushTurdus viscivorus - one was at NIr Oz (Dominic Standing)

7.11.2015

Kurdish WheatearOenanthe xanthoprymna - a male was at Arsuf, just north to Tel-aviv (Oree Efroni-Naor et al.). Excellent record being only the 2nd for the coastal stripe. Amazingly, the first had been found only 200 meteres away from this bird. Photo

Mourning WheatearOenanthe lugens - a first winter bird was at Tel-Baruch (Itai Berger and Bark Granit). Extremely rare outside its breeding zones at the deserts and semi-deserts of Israel. A note of interest: a Desert Wheatear was there as well. Photo

RIng OuzelTurdus torquatus - a male of ssp. aplestris was at Nafcha farm on the 14th (Barak Granit and Shachar Alterman) Photo

Black-winged KiteElanus caeruleus - one migrated south over Hatzook beach on the 13th (Itamar Gurfinkel). The first record for Tel-aviv!

BateleurTerathopius ecaudatus - probably the long staying bird was relocated near moshav Bnei-Reem on the 13th (Ehud Biedermann)

Macqueen's BustardChlamydotis macqueenii - one was at the southern Jordan valley, near Alenbi bridge on the 13th (Avner Rinot) - good record!

Brown BoobySula Leucogaster - two were at the North Beach on the 14th (Chen Rozen)

Hume's WarblerPhylloscopus humei - the bird from Bat-Shlomo was still there on the 13th

Goldcrest Regulus regulus - two were at Birya on the 14th (Sachi Luriya et al.)

15-16.11.2015

Asian Buff-bellied PipitAnthus rubescens japonicus - one was at Yotvata on the 16th together with 2 Small Skylarks (Chen Rozen)

Striolated BuntinEmberiza Strolata - 2 were at wadi Samak, Golan Heights on the 16th (Lior Kislev). First record for the Golan.

Yellow-browed WarblerPhylloscopus inornatus - one was at Ovda valley on the 15th (via Chen Rozen).

The Hume's Warber was still at Bat Shlomo (16th).

17-19.11.2015

Red-billed TillAnas erythrorhyncha - one was at Hatzeva field-school's sewage on the 18th and 19th (Liraz Cabra et al.) probably the same bird that was at Idan (6 km away from its 'new' place) in January. Photo

Little BuntingEmberiza pussila - probably this species was seen flying while calling at Nafcha on the 19th (Barak Granit).

Pallid Scops OwlOtus brucei - one was caught, ringed and released at Eilat bird Park on the 18th (IBRCE team)

Daurian ShrikeLanius isabellinus - one was at Atlit on the 19th (Ron Faibis)

Levant SparrowhawkAccipiter brevipes - one was photographed at Harod valley on the 18th (Shmuel London). A very late record.

20-21.11.2015

Grey HypocoliusHypocolius ampelinus - a feamle type bird was at km 76 on the 21st (Shimon Shiff). Still a big rarity with less than 15 national records.Photo

Kurdish WheatearOenanthe xanthoprymna - a male was at wadi Tzviya, Mt Gilboa on the 21st (Giora Leithner and David Koter)Photo

Daurian ShrikeLanius isabellinus - one was at Yotvata northern fields on the 24th (Chen Rozen). The Sociable Plover was still there

Barred WarblerSylvia nisoria - a very late bird was caught today at the Eilat Bird Park (Chen Rozen)

European NightjarCaprimulgus europaeus - one was at Jerusalem on the 22nd (Avner Rinot).

Belated news and some more updates:

A male Pied WheatearOenanthe pelschanka was reported at km 76, southern Arava before the last weekend, and on the 21st, a count of 39 White-cheeked TernsSterna repressa was made at the North Beach (Shachar Shalev), representing an unusually late gathering of this species which normally is totally or almost totally absent at winter.

Other than that the Red-billed TealAnas erythrorhyncha was last seen on Saturday the 21st, not seen afterwards despite beeing searched by some frustrated twitchers. Both the Hume's Warbler and the Kurdish Wheatears reported here earlier were stil at their spots.

25-27.11.2015

Little BuntingEmberiza pussila - one was at Km 76 on the 27th (Shchar Shalev et al.)

RIng OuzelTurdus torquatus - a male was reported at Merom Golan on the 27th (Amir Ben-dov)

Red-billed TillAnas erythrorhyncha - the bird was seen again on the 25th, at Hatzeva field school sewage.

Other updates: the Hume's Warbler was still at Bat Shlomo on the 26th.

28.11.2015

Verreaux's EagleAquila verreauxii - a near-adult bird was soaring for some minutes around noon time at Maale Aqurabim, north-eastern Negev (Ehud Fast). A remarkable record and first observation in 3 years.

Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva - one was near Jersualem on 30.11 (Amitai Tal-or).

3.12.2015

Pied WheatearOenanthe pelschanka - a 1st winter male was at k76 this morning (Barak Granit and Avi Shneor et al.) representing the first ever December record (and perhaps wintering?) in Israel.

it is to note that a PIed Wheatear was reported from this place around 3rd week November (Shchar Shalev), so good chance that it is the same bird. Other than that the place is alive with birds i.e 4Small Skylarks, 2 Richard's Pipits, 2 Easten Stonechats, 10 or more Spectacled Warblers, and above all tons (100-200) Bluthroats!

Great Bustard Otis tarda - a male found today at Hayogev. Jeezrael valley (Asaf Sasson) and twitched by many happy birders. The 8th record for Israel.Photo

Euroasian Dotterel Charadrious morinellus - a flock of 130 birds was south of Hatzerim airfield on the 10th (Barak Granit et al.) where they have been found in recent years. The birds were mixed with some 8 Kentish Plovers.Photo

While-tailed Plover Vanellus leucurus - one was at En-Tamar reservoir near Neot Hakikar on the 11th (Amir Chaver)

13-15.12.2015

BateleaurTerathopius ecaudatus - the long staying bird was relocated near Amatzya on the 14th (Ron-ben Shalom)

Hume's WarblerPhylloscopus humei - one was at Shitim, southern Arava on the 13th (Itai Shani). This bird was found earlier on by Liri Kupolevits but was not identified as it gave poor views only

Yellow-browed WarblerPhylloscopus inornatus - one was at Neot Smadar coffee place on the 15th (Itai Shani) while the bird at "Ironi Alef" high-school at Tel-aviv was relocated on the same day (Ziv Cohen Sharon).

Belated news:

Kurdish WheatearOenanthe xanthroprymna - a male was above En Gedi field School, the Dead Sea on the 12th (Sapir Marcus)

16-17.12.2015

Eleonora's FalconFalco eleonorae - one was photographed at Mishmar Haemeq' on the 16th (Eldad Amir). The latest autumn migrant or just first ever winter record.

18-21.12.2015

No new birds were found within the last few days.

Some updates: At the north, the Great Bustard was not seen since the 14th despite daily searches. At Idan, two Red-billed Teals were seen and photographed along side, one could be a hybrid though very near 'the real thing'.

Other than these two, a more clear cut hybrid of Red-billed Teal X Mallard was photographed (Rei Segali).

At Urim and Hatzerim - 9 Sociable Plovers and 20Dotterels were still present on the 21st, while raptor numbers continue to be low (Frank Moffat, Rony Livne) though two Sakers were seen there earlier this week. At the North Beach - two Brown Boobies were still present (Shachar Shalev).

Red-crested PochardNetta Rufina - a male and a female were still at Maale Gilboa Fishponds today (Tirat Zvi). These birds were found earlier by Lior Kislev. Yesterday, another male (together with 8 White-headed Ducks) was at Arie reservoir, not far from Urim (Eyal Shochat).

Last days at Urim and at the nearby Hatzerim hills included 110 Dotterels, 10 Sociable Plovers, 2-3 Sakers, 5 Pallid Harriers and about 2000 Northern Lapwings (Frank Moffat, Lior Kislev, Barak Granit et al.). At the North, the two Demoiselle's Crane were still at the Agamon.

27-28.12.2015

WallcreeperTichodroma muraria - one was at Mt Arbel on the 28th (Rami Doss)

Asian Buff-bellied PipitAnthus rubescens japonicus - Two were at Tirat Zvi on the 27th (Frank Moffat)

Daurian ShrikeLanius isabellinus - one was at Kfar Rupin fishponds on the 28th (Frank Moffat)